What's good to shop for in Peru?
Peru is a shopper's paradise with plenty of options for quality souvenirs. Top of the list is alpaca wool, which you can buy in the form of jumpers, scarves, gloves, hats (including the popular chullo Andean hat with the distinctive ear flaps) and blankets.
Quality does vary with baby alpaca the softest and most expensive wool, and sometimes you may end up inadvertently buying a mix of alpaca, wool and acrylic at some of the markets so if you want to be assured of the quality, try the boutique stores that are prevalent in Cusco.
Alpaca goods are sold across Peru though the markets in the Sacred Valley have the most choice when it comes to patterns and colour.
The weavers of Taquile Island and their long-held traditions have been proclaimed "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO and as such, Peru is an excellent place to shop for textiles ranging from scarves to belts, tapestries to bags designed with traditional emblems and patterns.
As one of the world's largest producers of silver, Peru is also a great bet for jewellery with traditional Andean elements featuring in designs for something different to what you'd find back home. Again, quality does vary and prices therefore vary accordingly and you should stick to the official-looking stores in Cusco and Lima for the best quality pieces.
